Apparently the largest percentage of people who consume junk food on a daily basis are students. And who can blame them? With their demanding schedules; balancing researching and writing essay assignments, studying for end-term examinations, working side jobs and a crazy student social life, it can be difficult for them to squeeze in meals preparation. Hence they opt for the easier option which is order take out or have frozen meals.
But did you know there are simple, healthy meals that would take even less time to prepare compared to the latter? They consist of simple ingredients that you can acquire in your grocery store. No fancy top chef kitchen appliances or tools required either.
The best part; you can easily and quickly prepare them from your minimum-sized dorm or off campus housing kitchen. And if you’re worried about the price of healthy eating, don’t – it’s actually cheaper to buy healthy food than junk food.
Indeed, a report from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) compared the prices of 78 common food and drink products, finding that healthier options are more often than not cheaper.
The following tips will are designed for college students who are after a little cooking inspiration for healthy, fast and easy to prepare meals…
BREAKFAST
This is the most important meal of the day. Having a healthy breakfast ensures optimal activity throughout the day and will also keep you alert in class. Here are some hearty options for your breakfast:
- Breakfast Nachos: Easy to prepare substitute for your pancake and oats breakfast routing. You can use veggies in lace of beef or beans; customize it to your own liking.
- Berry and Peanut butter overnight oats: These little pots of joy are the ideal grab-and-go breakfast to start your day the healthy way. Oats are a natural superfood, 100% wholegrain and an excellent source of fibre, protein, vitamins and antioxidants. This breakfast treat is cheap to make and can be prepared beforehand. For the berry element grab some frozen berries and keep them in your freezer, using them as and when you need.
- Tropical green smoothies: For a nutrition fix and exploding flavor, this tropical green smoothie is a delectable way to kick-start your day.
- Mexican scrambled eggs: If you are one of those people who feel it’s not breakfast until you have scrambled eggs, this is the perfect treat for you.
MAINS
These are the meals you can really make interesting and experiment with differnt flavors, not to mention reheat wonderfully:
- Vegetable Lasagna: Instead of filling your lasanga with meat, layer it with aubergines, courgettes and cherry tomatoes for a healthier alternative. Make a big batch and freeze.
- Naan Pizza: Incredibly fast and easy to bake –a life saver on those busy nights you’re swarmed with assignments. Include all your favorite toppings.
- Grilled cheese roll ups with tomato soup dipping sauce: A classic pairing and a great faced-lift from the old monotonous grilled cheese.
- Chickpea curry: Chickpeas are one of the cheapest most popular pulses. We’ve got a whole load of affordable and easy to cook chickpea recipes here.
DESSERTS
With all that revising you deserve a treat. This is the perfect finish to a great meal and a treat for your sweet tooth:
- Chocolate pudding: Almost instant molten chocolate pudding. Takes you about 3 minutes to prepare
- Chocolate mousse: Use marshmallows to achieve a velvety texture
- Brownies: Fudgy, gooey, chocolaty brownies, the best you are yet to taste. Plus, you only require one bowl to prepare them. The magic ingredients; oil, cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Crispy peanut butter clusters: Unique, creative and interesting, crunchy goodness in every bite.
